BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 2161
                                                                  Page 1

          Date of Hearing:  April 16, 2012

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
                                Wesley Chesbro, Chair
               AB 2161 (Achadjian) - As Introduced:  February 23, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :  Energy:  renewable energy resources

           SUMMARY  :  Adds San Luis Obispo to the list of counties eligible 
          to receive renewable energy planning grants from the California 
          Energy Commission (CEC).

           EXISTING LAW  requires the CEC to provide, upon appropriation by 
          the Legislature, up to $7 million in grants to 15 qualified 
          counties in the San Joaquin Valley and desert regions to revise 
          rules and policies, including general plans, zoning ordinances, 
          and conservation plans, to facilitate renewable energy 
          development on "disturbed lands," as defined.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  Unknown

           COMMENTS  :

          In 2011, AB 13 X1 (V. Manuel Perez) expanded existing 
          provisions, enacted to facilitate permitting of solar energy 
          projects in a specified desert region, to include a broader 
          range of renewable energy projects in the desert and, for 
          specified provisions, other regions of the state.  The bill also 
          established new provisions to support planning and permitting of 
          renewable energy projects in the San Joaquin Valley and desert 
          regions, including directing the CEC to provide grants for local 
          government participation, upon appropriation of funds from the 
          Legislature.  Although major solar energy projects have been 
          proposed in San Luis Obispo, the county was not included in AB 
          13 X1's list of eligible counties.

          According to the author:

               AB 2161 would add San Luis Obispo County to the current 
               list of counties that would be deemed "qualified" to apply 
               for this grant funding to allow for additional 
               opportunities for renewable energy development?San Luis 
               Obispo County demonstrated its commitment to solar power by 
               approving two large utility scale solar projects?and by 
               promoting distributed and rooftop solar.  However, the 








                                                                  AB 2161
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               efficiency at which the County can process solar energy 
               facility (SEF) projects is hampered by outdated plans, 
               policies and rules.  The County is motivated to update its 
               regulations and streamline the review process for SEF 
               projects.  As a starting point, the County would like to 
               pursue customizing the California County Planning Director 
               Association's Solar Energy Facility (SEF) Permit 
               Streamlining Guide and Model SEF Ordinance for local use.  
               The Guide and Model SEF Ordinance were developed with 
               involvement from a broad, statewide coalition of 
               stakeholders, over 100 participants strong.  The goal of 
               this project was to assist counties in their effort to 
               provide a streamlined regulatory climate for the 
               installation of SEF project while protecting important 
               farmland and sensitive habitat.  The County would like to 
               build upon this model and facilitate more efficient 
               processing of these projects.  Concurrent to the original 
               intent of ABx1 13, with its location on the Central Coast, 
               San Luis Obispo is in a prime location to continue and 
               expand on its renewable energy portfolio.  When the grant 
               funding is appropriated through the Energy Commission's 
               budget, these counties, with the addition of San Luis 
               Obispo will be poised to act.

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :

           Support 
           
          San Luis Obispo County (sponsor)

           Opposition 
           
          None
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :  Lawrence Lingbloom / NAT. RES. / (916) 
          319-2092